Article handling apparatus



March 22, 1966 w. c. BELK ARTICLE HANDLING APPARATUS Original Filed July17, 1957 15 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR WILBER c. BELK BYu/w ATTORNEY March22, 1966 w. c. BELK ARTICLE HANDLING APPARATUS Original Filed July 17,1957 15 Sheets-Sheet 2 W @NV NM? m mwm own N m-HFwM- I ATTORNEY March22, 1966 w. c. BELK 3,241,582

ARTICLE HANDLING APPARATUS Original Filed July 17, 1957 13 Sheets-Sheet5 8 I WILBER c. BELK Bv JQI R w J ATTORNEY A INVENTOR March 22, 1966 w.c. BELK ARTICLE HANDLING APPARATUS Original Filed July 17, 1957 13Sheets-Sheet 6 INVENTOIR WILBER 0. BELK 4 g /W Z4- ATTORNEY W. C. BELKARTICLE HANDLING APPARATUS Original Filed July 17, 1957 March 22, 196613 Sheets-Sheet '7 mvsn-ron vnuasa c. BELK BY W ATTO RNEY March 22, 1966w. c. BELK 3,241,582

ARTICLE HANDLING APPARATUS Original Filed July 17, 1957 13 Sheets-Sheet8 (MK-F3552 l M525 r TIE 2 543 502 I sez a INVENTOR WILBER G. BELK JewQ/WW ATTORNEY March 22, 1966 w. c. BELK ARTICLE HANDLING APPARATUSOriginal Filed July 17, 1957 15 Sheets-Sheet 9 VIILBER C. IELK BY M 22/Q 7? ATTORNEY March 22, 1966 w. c. BELK ARTICLE HANDLING APPARATUSOriginal Filed July 17, 1957 13 Sheets-Sheet 10 Fi- MEIIEZNEJSELK BY A a1 ONQ ATTORNEY March 22, 1966 w. c. BELK ARTICLE HANDLING APPARATUSOriginal Filed July 17, 1957 15 Sheets-Sheet 11 Nmm INVENTOR ATTORNEYMarch 22, 1966 w. c. BELK ARTICLE HANDLING APPARATUS Original Filed July17, 1957 15 Sheets-Sheet 15 WILBER O. BELK i Ii,

QN W-HIH HI ATTO RNEY United States Patent 3,241,582 ARTICLE HANDLINGAPPARATUS Wilber C. Belk, Lakeland, Fla., assignor to FMC Corporation,San Jose, Calif., a corporation of Delaware Original application July17, 1957, Ser. No. 666,018, now Patent No. 3,072,207, dated Jan. 8,1963. Divided and this application May 4, 1962, Ser. No. 192,534

6 Claims. (Cl. 141-284) The present invention pertains to apparatus forweighing and bagging articles and relates more particularly to a hopperused in such apparatus to receive the articles to be weighed.

This is a division of the pending application of Wilber C. Belk, Ser.No. 666,018, filed July 17, 1957 now Patent 3,072,207, issued January 8,1963.

An object of the present invention is to provide an improved articlereceiving hopper adapted for use in an article weighing and bag fillingmachine.

Another object is to provide improved means in an article receivinghopper for controlling the time of discharge of articles therefrom inaccordance with its position.

Another object is to provide improved means in an article receivinghopper for releasably retaining a bag in article receiving position onthe hopper.

Another object is to provide improved means in an article receivinghopper structure including a bag support which is adjustable withrespect to a movably mounted hopper.

Another object is to provide improved means for operatively mounting anarticle receiving hopper in a bag filling machine.

Another object is to provide improved switch actuating means inconjunction with an article receiving hopper, which is movable into andout of article receiving condition, to control a conveyor by whicharticles are supplied to the hopper only when the same is in articlereceiving condition.

These and other objects and advantages will become apparent from thefollowing description taken in connection with the accompanyingdrawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective of the present bag filling apparatus looking atthe feed end and at one side of the machine.

FIG. 2 is another perspective looking at the discharge end of themachine and at the side opposite to that shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a diagram of the electrical control system of the bag fillingmachine shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

FIG. 4 is a vertical medial section taken longitudinally of the machineof FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged end elevation of the discharge end of the presentbag filling apparatus, certain parts thereof being broken away.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged, fragmentary section of a portion of FIG. 5 takenalong line 66 thereof.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged side elevation of a portion of the present articlehandling machine, with a cover thereof broken away to disclose internalstructure.

FIG. 8 is a vertical section taken along the line 8-8 of FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is an enlarged, fragmentary exploded perspective of relatedelements of the present apparatus.

3,241,582 Patented Mar. 22, 1966 of the present invention, certain partsthereof having been broken away.

FIG. 13 is a diagram of the electrical system of the apparatus shown inFIG. 12.

FIG. 14 is an enlarged perspective of a portion of the apparatus shownin FIG. 12, certain parts being broken away.

FIG. 15 is a plan, with parts broken away, of a modified form of articlehopper.

FIG. 16 is a fragmentary end elevation of the hopper shown in FIG. 15.

FIG. 17 is a longitudinal vertical section taken along line 17-17 ofFIG. 15.

FIG. 18 is a view similar to FIG. 17 showing the hopper approachingdischarge position, certain parts being broken away and other partsbeing shown in elevation.

FIGS. 19 and 20 are fragmentary side and rear elevations, respectively,of an article handling apparatus, particularly showing another modifiedform of article hopper.

FIG. 21 is a side elevation of the hopper of FIG. 19, showing the samein a different operative position.

FIG. 22 is a vertical longitudinal section taken along the line 22-22 ofFIG. 20, showing the hopper in the position shown in FIG. 21.

FIG. 23 is a fragmentary horizontal section, the view being taken alongline 23-23 of FIG. 19.

One embodiment 30 of the bag filling machine of the present invention isillustrated in FIGURES 1 and 2 and comprises a support frame A having anendless chain type conveyor B arranged to take articles such as apples.potatoes, and the like, from a supply bin, move them upwardly, anddeliver them to a hopper E that is operatively associated with aweighing machine F. After being weighed, the articles are dischargedfrom the hopper into a bag that is positioned at the outlet of thehopper. A drive mechanism C is mounted on the frame and is operativielyconnected in driving relation with the conveyor B. An agitator mechanismD is arranged to vibrate a wall of the supply bin to prevent channellingand bridging of the articles in the bin.

The support frame A comprises a flat, generally elongated plate 31 (FIG.1), which forms the base for the bagger and is supported upon a floor(not shown) by two caster wheels 32 and two short runners or skids 34.The skids are affixed to the opposite ends of angle member 36 which issecurely attached to the front end of the plate 31 and projectsoutwardly of the side edges of the plate so as to dispose the skidslaterally of the plate. The widely spaced skids give stability to the'bagger even though produce contained in the supply bin may be locatedgenerally toward one side thereof. The two caster wheels 32 are attachedto the rear end of the plate 31 in 'any convenient manner and givemobility to the bagger.

Adjacent the front end of the base plate 31 is attached one end of anelongated, generally rectangular housing 38 in which the conveyor B isoperably disposed. From its point of attachment to the base plate 31 theconveyor housing 38 is inclined upwardly and rearwardly. A single leg40, fabricated of sheet metal and having the form of a channel member,supports the rear, upper end of the conveyor housing 38. The leg 40 maybe welded or otherwise affixed to the conveyor housing 38 and to theadjacent end of the base plate 31.

The conveyor housing 38 comprises two spaced side channels 42 and 44which are held in uniformly spaced relation by a plurality of transversechannel members 46 (FIG. 4) as well as by the base plate 31 and the rearsupport leg 40. The spacer members 46 not only hold the conveyor housingside channels 42 and 44 in fixed spaced relation but also providesupport for a track assembly 48 which guides the chains of the conveyorB.

The track assembly 46 comprises two parallel rails (one rail 50 is shownin FIG. 4) that are in the form of channels and are mounted in aninclined position upon the spacers 46 so as to lie adjacent the innersurfaces of the side walls 42 and 44, respectively, and in parallelrelation thereto.

A storage bin 65 (FIGS. 1 and 2) is mounted at the forward end of theconveyor housing. This bin comprises two spaced side panels 66 and 6-8which are generally triangular configuration. The bin is mounted on theconveyor housing by bolts 69 which extend through outturned flanges 70formed on the lower edges of the two side panels and through the upperflanges of the side channels 42 and 44. The side panels 66 and 68 of thebin are inclined outwardly in opposite directions so that the upperportions of their front edges are spaced farther apart than the lowerportion of the front edges.

At the rear end of the frame structure A of bagger 30 are two brackets101 and 102 (FIG. 2) that are secured to the conveyor housing supportleg 40 adjacent its top and at the opposite sides thereof. The weighingmachine F is mounted upon the upper, horizontal portions of the brackets101 and 102 so as to be located adjacent the discharge end of theconveyor B. Vertically depending angle bars 104 and 106, respectively,project from the rear end of the brackets 101 and 102. The bars 104 and106 support a horizontal table 108 which extends rearwardly of thebagger. The table 108 is vertically adjustable on the bars by bolts 109in a well known manner.

An elongated flexible belt 130 (FIG. 4) is carried by the conveyor. Thebelt, which may be made of plastic or rubber impregnated fabric,comprises two superposed webs which are sewed together at regularlyspaced intervals along the length of the belt by two closely spaced,transverse rows of stitching. The space between the rows of each pair oftransverse rows defines a loop 134. Accordingly, the belt hangs looselybetween adjacent straps to provide pockets 136 in which the articles arecarried upwardly toward the discharge end of the conveyor.

The endless chain 120 of the conveyor is trained around a lower sprocket137 (FIG. 4) that is fixed to a shaft 138 extending horizontally acrossthe lower end of the conveyor housing, around an upper sprocket 140rigid with a shaft 141 extending across the housing near the upper endthereof, and around a sprocket 143 that is secured to a shaft 146.Similarly, the endless chain 122 (FIG. is trained around an identicalset of sprockets which are also secured to the shafts 138, 141 and 146,res-pectively. The shaft 138 at the lower end of the conveyor housing isoperatively connected to the drive mechanism C in a manner which will bedescribed in detail presently.

When the chains 120 and 122 of the conveyor are disposed for operationin the conveyor housing 38 upon the sprockets i137, 1-40 and 143, it isapparent (FIG. 4) that the belt 130 has an inclined upper run 160extending between the sprockets 137 and 140. The rails 50 and 52 supportthe inclined portion of the run 160 while the rails 54 and 56 supportthe upper horizontal portion thereof.

It is the purpose of the drive mechanism C to act as a speed reducer aswell as to smoothly stop or start operation of the article deliveryconveyor B, without the need of having to stop and start the associatedmotor for each produce weighing operation. The mechanism C comprises aplanetary gear assembly 200 (FIGS. 2 and 7) and 'a brake unit 201. Theplanetary gear assembly includes a gear case 202 which is continuouslydriven during the weighing operations by a motor 203 (FIG. 2) through aV-belt 204.

Gearing 210 is mounted in the case 202 and comprises two sun gears 214and 216 (FIG. 8). A sleeve-like hub 218 to which the sun gear 214 isafiixed adjacent one end thereof, mounts the gear 214 for free rotationon a pro jecting end of the conveyor drive shaft 138. A similar,sleeve-like hub 220 of the gear 216 is affixed adjacent 4 one end to theprojecting end of the drive shaft 138 by a pin 222 for rotation with theshaft. While both sun gears 214 and 216 are of identical circular pitch,the gear 214 has one tooth more than has the gear 216.

The gear case 202 in which the transmission gearing 210 is disposedcomprises two symmetrical covers 226 and 228 that are in the form ofdiscs which have mating flanges 230 and 232, respectively, at the outeredges there of. Adjacent the center of each cover 226 and 228 is a hub234 in which are suitable bushings 236 for rotatably mounting the coverson the hubs 218 and 220, respectively, of the sun gears 214 and 216.Sealing rings, of any well known type, are also provided in the gearcase hubs 234 outwardly thereof beyond the bushings 236 in order toprevent the possible entry of foreign material into the case and theloss of lubricant therefrom.

Each of the two gear case covers 226 and 228 is provided with a radiallyprojecting, peripheral fin 240 and 242, on the flanges 230 and 232,respectively. As best shown in FIG. 8, the fins 240 and 242 haveoutwardly diverging, frusto-conical surfaces on the adjacent facesthereof when the covers are in assembled relation so as to form acontinuous V-groove about the gear case 202. The previously mentionedV-belt 204, which interconnects the motor 203 in driving relation withthe transmission C, is disposed in the groove of the gear case 202 andtherefore the case acts as a sheave for operating the gearing 210therein to drive the conveyor B and the agitator mechanism D.

Planet gear assemblies 246 of the gearing 210 are rotatably disposed inthe gear case 202 in meshing relation with the sun gears 214 and 216.The gears of the planet gear assemblies 246 are of the same pitch as thesun gears 214 and 216. Each planet gear assembly 246 comprises a firstgear 248 meshing with the sun gear 214 and having one toother less thanthe sun gear 214. A second gear 250 of each planet gear assembly 246,having one tooth more than the first gear 248 thereof, meshes with theother sun gear 216.

The individual gears 248 and 250 of the two planet gear assemblies 246are coaxially disposed and are rigidly interconnected by means of pins252 for unitary rotation. Each gear assembly 246 is axially bored and isdisposed on a bushing 254 which forms a projecting shoulder at oppositeends of the assembly. The gear assemblies 246 (FIG. 7) are located in amanner previously described at diametrically opposite points in the gearcase 202 with the bushings 254 of the gear assemblies being rotatablydisposed upon fixed shafts 256.

Opposite reduced diameter ends of the shafts 256 are suitably threadedand disposed in aligned holes in the opposite gear case covers 226 and228. Nuts 260, threadedly received on the ends of the shafts 256, areemployed to draw the covers 226 and 228 into positive mating relation aswell as into positive engagement with the radially enlarged, center partof the shafts 256. The bushings 254 of the gear assemblies 246 mount thegears 248 and 250 thereof in spaced relation to the interior of theopposite covers 226 and 228 for free rotation on the shafts 256 inmeshing relation with the sun gears 214 and 216, respectively.

Stud bolts 262 (FIG. 7), which are similar in configuration to theshafts 256 and have nuts thereon (not shown), further aid in holding thecovers 226 and 228 of the gear case 202 in fixed relation.

The mating covers 226 and 228 form an internal groove 266 therebetween,when in assembled relation, in which an O-ring seal is disposed. It isthe purpose of this seal to close the gear case 202 against the passageof foreign material and lubricant between the assembled halves thereof.

The previously mentioned brake 201 is associated with the end of the hub218 which projects beyond the left side of the gear case 202 (FIG. 8). Adrum 270 (FIG. 8) of the brake 201 has a hub 271 securely attached as bya set screw 272 to the hub 218 of the sun gear 214 for rotationtherewith. The drum has a peripheral surface about which a brake band276 is disposed. It will be noted that the brake band 276 comprises anouter strap of metal or other suitable material which is appropriatelyprovided with an inner lining of friction material. Opposite ends of thebrake band 276 have loops 282 (FIG. 7) which are used in holding theband in position for engagement with the drum as well as in actuatingthe brake 201.

A brake actuator 284 (FIGS. 5 and 7) which is mounted by means of abracket 286 on the side 44 of the conveyor housing 38 comprises a leverarm 288 which is fulcrumed at one end between opposite legs 290 (FIG. 5)of the bracket 286 upon a pivot pin 292. The end of the lever arm 288 isin the form of a yoke having side legs 294 (one only being shown in FIG.7), through which the pivot pin passes, disposed at opposite sides ofthe loop 282 at one end of the brake band 276. The loop 282 at the otherend of the brake band 276 is disposed between dependent extensions 295(FIG. 5) of the legs 294 on the lever arm 288 and is attached thereto bya short rod 296 which is spaced on the arm 288 from the pivot pin 292.

A solenoid 299 (FIG. 7), that is mounted on the brake actuator bracket286 adjacent the free end of the lever arm 288, is provided with areciprocable armature 298. At the distal end of the armature are twolaterally disposed side extensions 300 (FIG. 5) which are normallydisposed at opposite sides of a head 302 on the free end of the leverarm 288. The arm 288 and the armature 298 are resiliently interconnectedby means of a tensile spring 304 of suitable strength. Opposite ends ofthe spring 304 are anchored to the opposite sides of the armature 298 bymeans of short studs 306 thereon. The loop (FIG. 5) formed in the spring304 by this manner of attachment of the spring 304 to the armature isdisposed about the lever arm head 302 in a shallow channel 308 (FIG. 7).The channel 308 retains the spring in operative position on the head 302of the lever arm 288. Upon energization of the solenoid 299, thearmature 298 is retracted into the solenoid housing. By means of thespring 304 which interconnects the armature and the lever arm 288, thearm is pivoted about the pin 292 in the direction of the arrow 310 (FIG.7) upon energization of the solenoid 299. Pivotal movement of the arm288 in this direction is elfective to draw the brake band 276 with thefriction material 280 into engagement with the drum 270. Moving the arm288 by means of the spring 304 provides a self adjusting connection.

The drive mechanism C functions in the following manner to transmitpower from the motor 203 to the article delivery conveyor B. Assumingthat no articles are in the hopper E, the solenoid 299 associated withthe brake 201 is energized. When such a condition exists, as previouslyexplained, the brake 201 is set so that the brake drum 270 is heldagainst rotation by the band 276. The sun gear 214, which is connectedto the drum 270 by the hub 218, is therefore also held against rotation.As the gear case 202 is driven in the direction of the arrow 312 (FIG.7) by the belt 204, the planet gear assemblies 246 are carried in acircular orbit about the sun gear 214. Due to the meshing engagement ofthe planet gears 248 with the stationary sun gear 214, the planetassemblies are rotated about their axes as they are carried around bythe casing.

The difference in the pitch diameters of the sun gears 214 and 216prevents the planet assemblies from rolling on the sun gear 216.Accordingly, the planet assemblies drive the sun gear 216 and theconveyor shaft 138 in a direction opposite to the direction of rotationof the casing and at a rotary speed that is approximately oneseventeenthof the rotary speed of the casing. Thus, in operation, when the brake201 is released, the conveyor stops. When the brake is applied, theconveyor is operated causing articles in the conveyor pockets 136 to beraised toward the upper discharge end of the conveyor.

The hopper E is mounted at the rear of the machine in position toreceive articles discharged from the conveyor. The hopper, which may bemade of sheet metal, has a forward wall 360 (FIG. 4) that is disposed ina substantially vertical position when the hopper is in thearticle-receiving position of FIG. 4. At its upper end, the wall 360 hasa lip 361 that is inclined to direct the articles into the hopper. Thehopper has spaced side walls 362 (FIGS. 2 and 5) which have portions 363projecting rearwardly from the front wall 360, and inwardly slanted rearportions 364 which define the lateral limits of a discharge mouth 366 ofthe hopper. The floor of the hopper is formed by two panels 369 and 370(FIG. 4). The forward floor panel 369 is joined to the forward wall 360by a sloping panel 371, and to each of the forward side wall portions363 by an outwardly flared transition member 372 (FIG. 2), and the rearfloor panel 370 is connected to each of the rear side wall portions 364by an outwardly flared member 373. A downturned rear edge 374 is formedon the rear" floor panel 370. The rear edges of the side wall portions364, the rear edges of the flared member 373 and the rear edge of thefloor, panel 370 cooperate to define the discharge mouth or opening 366.

During the actual bagging operations, the attendant must slip the bagover the mouth 366 of the universal hopper and hold it there while hetilts the hopper to discharge the contents therefrom into the bag. Toaid the attendant in both holding the bag in place on the hopper as wellas in tilting the same, a tilting ledge 376 is provided on each sidewall 362. The ledges 376 are afiixed (FIGS. 2 and 5) adjacent the mouth366 to the rear end of the wall portion 364 with a fiat upper portion ofeach ledge disposed in parallel relation to an upper edge of the sidewall 362. Each ledge is provided with a downwardly curved rear end 380.

The hopper E, which has a pivot pin 381 (FIG. 5) projecting laterallyfrom each side wall, is supported on a U-shaped bracket 382. The member382 is secured by bolts 383 to a T-shaped member 384 that is part of theweighing machine F which will be described presently. The U-shapedmember 382 has two upstanding arms 382a and 382b, and each of these armscarries a plate 385 (FIG. 9) which has a guide bar 386 secured to itsinner face in spaced relation above a locking cam disc 388 that iseccentrically mounted on a pin 390 projecting inwardly from the plate385. The bar 386 and the top surface of the cam disc 388 provides aguideway 391 which is adapted to receive a slide bar or feather 395secured, as by welding, to a vertical mounting plate 396 which has, nearits upper end, an opening (not shown) through which one of the pivotpins 381 of the hopper extends. Set collars 398 are secured to the pivotpin 381 on each side of the plate 396 to position the side wall of thehopper relative to the plate 396. With this arrange ment, the mountingplates 396 of the hopper are arranged to be slidably positioned on thearms 382a and 38212 of the U-shaped bracket 382.

The hopper is put into place on the machine by first raising the hopperto an elevated position adjacent the upper rear end of the conveyorhousing with the two slide bars 395 of the hopper in alignment with thetwo guideways 391 of the U-shaped bracket 382. The hopper is then movedtoward the conveyor housing, causing the slide bars to enter theguideways. When the lip 361 (FIG. 4) on the front wall of the hopper isdisposed in the article-receiving position with the floor panel 370resting on a bumper 399 (FIG. 4) carried by the U-shaped bracket 382,the eccentric locking cam discs 388 (FIG. 9) are rotated by means ofhandles 400, causing the slide bars 395 to be locked between the camdiscs and the guide bars 386.

As seen in PEG. 2, the vertical mounting plate 396 adjacent one sidewall of the hopper has an L-shaped switch-mounting bracket 414 securedthereto. This bracket 414 has an upwardly projecting, vertical leg 416(FIG. 9) that is square in transverse cross section. A switch 418 of theelectrical control system is mounted on the vertical leg 416 by means ofa square sleeve 420 which is arranged to he slipped over the leg. Theswitch 418, which is normally open and may be of any well-known type, isso positioned on the bracket 414 that an actuator 422 of the switch isin horizontal alignment with the pivot pin 381 at .that side of thehopper. One of the set collars 398 on the pin 381 is provided with anarm 424 which engages the actuator 422 when the hopper is inarticlereceiving position, and moves the arm in a direction to close thecontacts. When the hopper is tilted, the arm 424 releases the actuator422, permitting the contacts to open.

The weighing machine F comprises a balance beam 429 (FIG. 4), havingspaced projections 429a and 492b (FIG. 5) on which the T-shaped. hoppersupport member 384 is pivotally mounted. The balance beam is fulcrumedupon a pivot rod 430 (FIG. 4) that is fixedly mounted in cooperatingbosses 432 (FIG. 5) of a bracket 433 which is secured to and projectsupwardly from a bedplate 434. The bedplate is rigidly secured to thebrackets 101 and 102 so that the weighing machine is entirely supportedby the frame structure.

A counterbalance rod 438 (FIG. 4) extends downwardly from one end of thebalance beam. This rod is arranged to receive removable counterweights440 for the purpose of balancing the weight of the hopper and the weightof the articles in the hopper. A link 442 is connected between the rod438 and a rigid mast 443 which projects downwardly from the underside ofthe bedplate 434. A second link 444 interconnects the lower end of themast 443 with the T-shaped hopper support member 384.

At the right side of the Weighing machine F (FIG. 5) is an indicatingunit 445 that is mounted upon the bedplate 434. The unit has a dial 446and a pointer 448 which moves across the dial and indicates, whenvertically disposed, that the produce delivered to the hopper E by theconveyor B has reached the predetermined weight as determined by thecounterweights 440. The pointer 448 is moved by engagement of the hoppermounting bracket 382 with a cantilever arm 450 that is associated withthe dial 446. No matter what the quantity of produce to be measured, thehopper mounting bracket 382 will always be lowered substantially thesame amount. The arm 459 is employed to actuate a normally closed switch452 of an electrical system which will be described presently.

The arm 450 is arranged to actuate a normally closed switch 452 (FIG. 6)which is afiixed to a switch mounting plate 454 that is pivotallyattached by means of a bolt 456 to a vertical bracket 458. The bracket458, in turn, is afiixed in any suitable manner to the bedplate 434 soas to dispose an actuator 460 of the switch 452 in the path of travel ofthe arm 450. In order to obtain a precise adjustment of the switchactuator 460 relative to the arm 450, the switch mounting plate 454 canbe pivoted fore and aft of the bagger about the bolt 456 by means of anunstanding handle 462 on the plate. Above the pivot =bolt 456 is aclamping bolt 464 which extends through the plate 454 and is disposed ina horizontal slot 466 in the bracket 458. Upon tightening a wing nut 465disposed on the bolt 464, the plate 454 is clamped to the bracket 458 inorder to maintain adjustment of the plate after correct alignment of theswitch actuator with the cantilever arm 450 has been achieved. Uponengagement of the cantilever a-rm 450 with the switch actuator 460 whenthe hopper has come to weight, the contacts of the switch 452 will beopened.

In FIG. 3 the electrical control system is diagrammatically shown ascomprising three circuits, 471, 472, and 473, that extend betweenelectrical service leads 474 and 475, and a holding circuit 476. Thecircuit 471 comprises the normally open hopper switch 418, the normallyclosed weight switch 452 and a relay R, connected in series. The relay Rhas two sets of normally open contactors R1 and R2. Contractor R1 isdisposed in the circuit 472 in series with the brake actuating solenoid299. The contactor R2 is in the holding circuit 476 for the relay R. Thecoils of the bagger drive motor 203 are in the circuit 473. A maincontrol switch 477 is con nected between the leads 474 and 475, andsupply lines L1 and L2 of a source of suitable electrical energy (notshown).

Throughout the preceding portion of the specification, the operation ofthe present bag filling apparatus has been given concurrently with adetailed description of the structure. Since it only remains tocoordinate the function of the electrical system with the operation ofthe various mechanical components of the present bagger, this will bedealt with in the following operational description.

In putting the bagger into operation the attendant first installs thecorrect weights 440 on the rod 438 at the forward end of the balancebeam 429 in order to compensate for the 'weight of the hopper E and thedesired weight of the articles, such as potatoes. After supplying thebin 65 with potatoes, the attendant closes the main switch 477 and theapparatus is in operation.

It will be recalled that the normally open hopper switch 418 in thecircuit 471 is held closed by the arm 424 of the hopper (FIGS. 9 and 10)when the hopper is in article receiving condition and that the weightswitch 452 in the same circuit, which is normally closed, remains closeduntil the hopper comes to weight. This assures that the relay R,associated with the switch 418 and 452 will be immediately energized assoon as the main switch 477 is closed. Therefore, the normally opencontactors R1 and R2 in the circuits 472 and 476, respectively, will beclosed as soon as the relay R is energized. Closing of the contactor R1completes the circuit 472 and the brake solenoid 299 is energized.Closing of the contactor R2 establishes a holding circuit to keep therelay R energized unless the weight switch 452 is opened.

When the brake 201 is set by energization of the brake solenoid 299, thebrake drum 270 is effectively held against rotation so that the sun gear214, associated with the brake drum, is held stationary. This causesrotation of the two planet gear assemblies 246 on their shafts 256 asthe assemblies are carried in a circular orbit with the gear case 2412as it is driven by the motor 203. Driving force is applied to the sungear 216 that is affixed to the conveyor drive shaft 138 to drive thearticle delivery conveyor B. Potatoes are carried upwardly from the bin65 in the pockets 136 of the conveyor belt to the discharge roller 164.During operation of the conveyor B, the agitator mechanism D is also inoperation.

At the upper end of the conveyor housing 38, the pockets 136 formed inthe belt 130, discharge the potatoes from the pockets as the belt movesaround the roller. As the potatoes are discharged from the pockets 136,they drop toward the universal hopper E. The lip 361 across the top ofthe forward wall 360 of the hopper, as well as the adjacent ends of theside walls 362 which rise above the lip, assure that all of the potatoeswhich are discharged from the pockets 136 will enter the hopper.

At the time a predetermined weight of potatoes has been delivered to thehopper so as to tilt the rear end of the balance beam 429 downwardlyagainst the action of the counterbalance weights 440, the hopperassembly is in its lowest position. The hopper mounting bracket 382 willhave engaged the cantilever arm 450 of the indicating dial 446, and thearm 450 will have accordingly been moved into engagement with the weightswitch 452. Such action is effective to open the contacts of the switch452 in the circuit 471 and deenergize the relay R therein, even thoughthe hopper switch 418 is still held closed by the arm 424 (FIG. 9). Whenthe relay R is deenergized, the contactor R1 thereof in the circuit 472is returned to its normally open position to thereby deenergize thebrake actuating solenoid 299 and release the brake 201. Upon release ofthe brake 201, the gearing 210 in the planetary gear mechanism isdisengaged from driving engagement with the drive shaft 138 while themotor 203 continues to operate. Thereupon, both the article deliveryconveyor B and agitator mechanism D discontinue operation and furtherdelivery of potatoes to the hopper E is stopped.

The attendant having put the open end of a bag about the mouth 366 ofthe hopper E, as previously explained, both holds the bag in place andtilts the hopper by use of the tilting ledges 376 thereof. Tilting ofthe hopper pivots the arm 424 out of engagement with the actuator 422 tothereby open the switch 418.

At the potatoes roll, tumble and slide from the hopper E they are guidedtoward the hopper mouth 366 by the converging side wall portions 364 andfloor panel 370. As the potatoes leave the mouth 366, they move acrossthe downturned rear edge 374 on the panel 370 and into the bag. The edge374 is smoothly formed to prevent injury to the potatoes as they leavethe hopper. The Weight of the potatoes filling the bag brings the bottomthereof to rest against the suitably elevated table 108 at the rear endof the brackets 101 and 102.

Before the hopper E is pivoted into article receiving condition (FIG. 4)about the pins 381, the attendant releases his grip on the hopper. Thecounterweights 440, accordingly, pivot the balance beam 429 about thepivot rod 430 of the weighing machine F to raise the hopper E.Thereupon, the weight switch 452 of the circuit 471 is closed but,because the weight switch is in series with the hopper switch 418 whichis still open, the relay R will not be energized and the conveyor doesnot yet resume movement. Simultaneously with his release of the hopper Ethe attendant, who is still holding the open end of the filled bag,picks the same up to set it aside preparatory to the next bag fillingoperation. In so doing, his upward movement of the bag is used to pivotthe hopper into article receiving condition against the bumper 399. Thisaction is effective to close the hopper switch 418 by the action of thearm 424 on the actuator 422 (FIG. 9). Both the weight switch 452 and thehopper switch 418 are now closed. Accordingly, the relay R isre-energized, and as previously explained, the drive mechanism C istherefore engaged to initiate another bagging operation. It will benoted that, after both the weight switch 452 and the hopper switch 418are open signifying the end of one bag filling operation, the conveyor Bcannot be started until both the switches are closed.

A modified form of the bagger of the present invention is shown in FIG.11 and identified by the reference numeral 479. Since very closesimilarity exists between the bagger 479 and the bagger 30 of FIG. 1,the description of the bagger 30 will be relied upon for a detailedunderstanding of the present modified bagger 479. However, where it isnecessary to describe the bagger 479, like reference characters will beused to identify parts common to both baggers except for the addition ofa prime accent as a suffix mark to the reference characters of thebagger 479.

A bulk lot of articles is first deposited into a bin 480 of the bagger479 by an attendant. The bin 480 is located adjacent one end of a framestructure A, within which are two adjacently disposed article conveyorsB. Driving power for moving each of the two conveyors B is supplied byelectric motors 203 (only one of which is shown) through a selectivelycontrolled drive mechanism C for each conveyor.

In order to assure that all articles in the bin 480 will ultimatelygravitate to the conveyors B to be picked up thereby, an agitatormechanism D is provided in the.

bin. Articles which are removed from the bin 480 by the conveyors B aretransported and elevated thereby to the upper end of the frame structureA. Both conveyors B discharge their produce into identical hoppers B(one only being shown).

Each of the hoppers E is movably supported upon a weighing machine F.When a predetermined weight of articles has been delivered by either ofthe conveyors B to the hopper E associated therewith, the hopper E movesdownwardly a predetermined distance. Such movement is effective tocondition .an electrical system of two electrical systems, one of whichis associated with each conveyor B to thereby disengage the respectivedrive mechanism C so as to stop the associated conveyor B and agitatormechanism D. Therefore, no more articles are delivered to the hopper Eby the associated conveyor B until the contents of the hopper isdischarged. The discharge of produce from the hopper E is accomplishedmanually by the attendant as in the case of the bagger 30. When thehopper is empty and returned to the article receiving condition, therespective electrical system is conditioned to thereby activate thedrive mechanism C and again initiate movement of the associated conveyorB and operation of the associated agitator mechanism D. In this manner,the two hoppers E are filled repeatedly with a predetermined weight ofarticles. It will be noted that by use of the modified form of bagger479, the attendant may fill bags first from one hopper and then from theother in rapid order in less time than would be possible by use of thebagger 30 (FIG. 1) with only one article delivery conveyor.

A plate 31' of the modified bagger 479 (FIG. 11), which is similar tothe plate 31 of the bagger 30 (FIG. 1), forms the base of the framestructure A. Adjacent the front end of the base plate 31 is attached oneend of each of two elongated, generally rectangular housings 38 in eachof which an article delivery conveyor B is operably disposed. From theirpoint of attachment to the base plate 31 the conveyor housings 38' areinclined upwardly and rearwardly. A leg 40, fabricated of sheet metaland having the form of a channel member, supports the rear, upper end ofeach conveyor housing 38.

Each of the conveyor housings 38 comprises two laterially disposed sides42 and 44' of modified channel shape which are held in uniformly spacedrelation. Along the top edges, the conveyor housing sides 42 and 44 areprovided with flanges 58 and 60, respectively. In all other respects,the construction of each of the two conveyor housings 38 of the presentbagger 479 is identical to the construction of the single conveyorhousing 38 of the bagger 30.

A clear understanding of the frame structure A of the modified bagger479 may be had from the more detailed description of the frame structureA of the bagger 30. t

The article delivery conveyor B in each of the two housings 38 comprisesa movable mountedbelt 136' having pockets 136 in which articles ofproduce are elevated and conveyed from the bin 480 to the rear,discharge end of the bagger. Each conveyor B of the modified bagger 479is identical in all respects to the conveyor B of the bagger 30previously described in detail.

The drive mechanism C associated with each article delivery conveyor Bof the modified bagger 479 is identical to the drive mechanism Cdescribed in conunction with the bagger 30 (FIG. 1). It will be notedthat the drive mechanisms C are disposed at opposite sides of therespective conveyor housings 38.

While the agitator mechanisms D of the modified bagger 479 (FIG. 11) arenot clearly shown, it may be understood that one agitator mechanism D islocated at the front end of the outer side wallof each conveyor housing38'. Each agitator mechanism. D is operated in synchronism with one ofthe article delivery convey- 1 1 ors B, and is arranged to oscillate oneof the pivotally mounted plates 489 of the bin through a came mechanismassociated with the drive shaft 138' of the conveyor.

While the electrical system associated with each of the article deliverycontrols C of the bagger 479 has not been shown, it will be understoodthat each system is exactly the same as the electrical system of thebagger 30 and therefore no description of the electrical system will begiven. If it is desired to bag one particular product, either one orboth of the motors 203 of the article delivery conveyors B are energizedas in the case of the article delivery conveyor B of the bag ger 30. Theconveyors B operate independently of each other to deliver articles tothe respective hoppers E from the bin 480. It is possible by use of thebagger 479 to supply the bin 480 with different types of produce atopposite Sides of the central deflector 492 for simultaneous baggingoperations.

Another modified embodiment of the bagger of the present invention isshown in FIGS. 12, 13 and 14 and identified by the reference numeral500. Because of the similarity between the baggers 30 and 500, thedescription of the bagger 30 will again be relied upon for a detailedunderstanding of certain portions of the present modified bagger 500.Therefore, where structure of the bagger 500 is described which issimilar to that of the bagger 30, like reference characters will be usedto identify parts common to both baggers except for the addition of thesuffix a to the reference characters of the bagger 500.

The bagger 500 is adapted for use in conjunction with a conveyor inwhich oppositely moving conveyor belts operate to repeatedly circulateproduce past an inspection station or discharge opening. Such a conveyoris commonly referred to as a return flow conveyor. Referring to thedrawings, and to FIGS. 12, 13 and 14 in particular, the modified bagger500 comprises a frame structure H which adapts the bagger 500 for use inconjunction with a return flow type of conveyor 501.

The bagger 500 may be moved into position adjacent the conveyor 501 andattached thereto by means of the frame structure H. It will be presumedthat a belt 502 of the conveyor is in operation and that the articles ofproduce are advanced by the moving conveyor belt 502 to a point in frontof a discharge opening 504 in a side wall 505 of the conveyor.Accordingly, some of the articles will be discharged from the conveyorthrough the opening 504 and into a hopper Ea. The hopper Ea and aweighing machine Fa upon which the hopper is mounted are identical tocorresponding structure of the bagger 30.

The frame structure H comprises a base 509 (FIG. 12) which has two feet510 (only one of which is shown) of right-angle cross section. Acylindrical sleeve 511 is mounted on each foot with the bottom end ofthe sleeve disposed upon the bottom flange and welded or otherwisesecured thereto about midway of the length of the foot to provide anupstanding socket 512. A rigid strap 513 extends horizontally betweenthe two sockets 512 to interconnect the feet 510 and thereby form thebase 599. A set screw 514 is threadedly received in each socket 512.

A vertically adjustable body 516 of the frame structure H comprises twovertically disposed, cylindrical columns 518 (FIGS. 12 and 14). Eachcolumn 518 is provided at its top with a threaded stud 519 (only one ofwhich is shown) that extends thereabove in coaxial relation. A plate523, which is aflixed to the top of the columns 518 by nuts 524 (onlyone of which is shown), interconnects the columns in suitable spacedrelation so that the lower ends of the columns will fit into the sockets512 of the base 509. A box-like enclosure 525 fits around the plate 523and extends thereabove for purposes to be made clear hereinafter. Thecolumns 518 of the adjustable body 516 are further interconnected 12 byan angle member 526 that is attached to the columns as by bolts 527(only one of which is shown). The angle member 526 is spaced below theplate 523 and is provided with an upwardly and forwardly inclined flange528.

An article delivery chute 533, for conducting articles from the conveyor501 to the hopper Ea, is provided on the front of the frame body 516. Afloor 534 (FIG. 14) of the chute 533 is affixed to the inclined flange528 of the angle member 526 and projects forwardly therefrom at the sameangle as the flange. The floor 534 of the chute is substantially equalin width to the spacing of the side walls 362a of the hopper Ea and thewidth of the opening 504. The front edge of the chute floor 534 is bentdownwardly to provide a lip 535 therea long of substantially the sameheight as the thickness of the conveyor belt 502. The sides of the chutecomprise modified channel sections 536 which are disposed with the webs537 thereof adjacent the lateral edges of the floor 534 and with theflanges 538 projecting laterally of the chute. The rearmost flanges 538of the channel sections 536 are attached as by bolts 543 to the columns518 of the frame body 516 above the floor 534 at the sides thereof. Ahorizontally disposed, open ended slot 544 is provided in both rearflanges 538 to receive the bolts 543 for securing the channels 536, inlaterally adjustable relation, to the columns 518. In this way thearticle delivery chute 533 can be varied in width in order to vary theflow of articles therethrough or to adapt it for handling differentproduce. Below the chute 533 on each column 518 of the bagger 500 is abracket 545 and these two brackets form a shelf 546 upon which theweighing machine Fa is mounted.

At the rear end of each bracket 545 (FIG. 12) is a vertically dependingangle bar 547. A table 108a, which projects rearwardly of the bagger500, is attached to the two spaced angle bars 547 for verticaladjustment thereon. For a more complete understanding of the table 108areference may be made to the table 108 of the bagger of FIG. 1.

When attaching the bagger 500 to a conveyor such as the conveyor 501(FIGS. 12 and 14), the columns 518 of the frame body 516, which aredisposed with their lower ends in the base sockets 512, are adjustedvertically therein to bring the bagger chute 533 to a suitable heightfor cooperation with the discharge opening 504 in the side 505 of theconveyor. Thereafter the set screws 514 in the sockets 512 are tightenedagainst the columns 518 to hold the frame body 516 at the desiredadjusted height.

If two baggers 5% are to be used as a unit (not shown), as may beunderstood from the description of the bagger 479 (FIG. 11), the framebodies 516 of two baggers 500 are interconnected. For this purpose astrap 549, which extends between the top of the box-like enclosures 525(FIG. 12) of the two baggers 500, is attached to the enclosures as bybolts 552. When using two of the baggers 500 as a unit, the heightthereof will be adjusted in a manner described for adjusting one bagger.

After a single bagger 500 or two baggers 500 as a unit are adjusted toproper height, it is securely attached to the conveyor. To accomplishsuch attachment, the chute fioor 534 of each bagger is disposed in oneof the discharge openings 504 of the conveyor side 505 to bring thefloor lip 535 closely adjacent the edge of the conveyor belt 502. Whenthe floor is in such a relation to the side of the conveyor, the chutechannels 536 will be adjusted in position on the coumns 518 to disposethe webs 537 in suitably spaced relation (FIG. 14).

The channels 536 are formed, at their front ends, with obliquelydisposed corners 553 which provide the article delivery chute 533 with aflaring entrance. The front flange 538 of each of the channels 536 isprovided with a horizontal slot 554 for purposes of adjustably attachingthe chute to the side 505 of the conveyor at opposite sides of theopening 504. A bolt 555 (FIG. 14) in the conveyor side 505 at each sideof the opening 504 is disposed in the slot 554 of each front flange ofthe channels.

An article control gate 556 is disposed adjacent the front of the plate523 which extends between the tops of the columns 518. For the purposeof pivotally mounting the gate 555 in the bagger 500, the plate 523 isprovided with two bearing blocks 557 (FIG. 14). It will be noted thatthe front edge of the plate 523 is recessed be tween the bearing blocks557 to permit unrestricted movement of the gate. The blocks 557 areprovided with aligned apertures 558 in which the shaft 559 of a crank560 is disposed for pivotal movement. At one end of the crank shaft 559is an arm 561 which is pivotally interconnected by means of a link 562with an armature 563 of a gate actuating solenoid 564 fixedly mounted onthe plate 523 within the box-like enclosure 525.

' The gate 556 comprises a horizontal sleeve 566 to which a plurality ofsubstantially equally spaced studs 567 are fixed throughout the lengthof the sleeve. The studs project perpendicularly from the sleeve. Ashort length of resiliently flexible tubing 568 of rubber or plastic isfrictionally disposed on each of the studs 567 to form gate fingers 569.Certain ones of the fingers 569 may be removed from or disposed on thestuds 567 to change the effective width of the gate. The gate 556 isarranged in its operating position in the chute by manually pivoting thesleeve 566 until the fingers 569 are obliquely disposed as in FIG. 12.The solenoid 564 is then energized and the sleeve 566 is secured to theshaft 559 as by a set screw 570 (FIG. 14). Thus, when the solenoid 564is deenergized, the gate will be disposed in the closed position of FIG.14.

The article control gate 556 is pivoted into closed or article arrestingposition in the article delivery chute by means of a spring 571 which isprovided in the box-like enclosure 525 and disposed under tensionbetween the rear wall of the box-like enclosure 525 and an arm 572 onthe sleeve 566. Upon energization of the solenoid 564, the gate will beopened (FIG. 12) against the resilient force of the spring 571.

, Referring now to FIG. 13, the electrical control system for the bagger500 comprises a main circuit 572 and two branch circuits 573 and 574.The circuit 572 extends between electrical service leads 575 and 576.Since the purpose and function of the hopper switch 418 and the weightswitch 452 of the electrical system of the FIG. 1 bagger has been wellestablished in describing the bagger 30 and since switches for identicalpurpose and function are used in the circuit 572 of the bagger Silt),the number 418a will be given to the hopper switch and the number 452awill be given to the weight switch of the bagger 500 in describing theelectrical system. A relay S in the circuit 572 has two sets of normallyopen contactors S1 and S2. One set of contactors S1 is disposed in thebranch circuit 573 in serieswith the gate actuating solenoid 564. Theremaining set of conta-ctors S2 is in the branch circuit 574 which actsto establish a holding circuit for the relay S. A main switch 580 isarranged in the system between the leads 575 and 576 and supply lines L1and L2 of a sourceof suitable electrical energy (not shown).

Throughout the present portion of the description directed to thebagger500, the operation thereof has been given concurrently with a detaileddescription of the structure. Since it only remains to coordinate thefunction of the electrical system with the operation of the variousmechanical components of the present bagger, this will be dealt with inthe following operational description.

To place the bagger 51min operation, the attendant first installs thecorrect weights 440a on the rod 433a at the forward end of a balancebeam 429a of the weighing machine Fa in order to compensate for theweight of the hopper Ea and for the desired weight of articles to be'put in each bag. The channel sections 536 forming the sides of thearticle delivery chute 533 are adjusted to provide a chute of suitablewidth to accommodate the same to whatever produce is to be bagged.Certain of the fingers 569 are either installed on or removed from thestuds 567 on the finger assembly 569 of the gate 556 to accommodate thesame to the width of the chute 533. The conveyor 501, which is inoperation, is supplied with articles of produce such as potatoes.Thereafter, the switch 550 of the electrical system (FIG. 13) is closedand the bagger 500 is in operation.

It will be recalled that the normally open hopper switch 418a in thecircuit 572 is held closed by the arm 424a (FIG. 12) of the hopper Eawhen the hopper is in article receiving condition, and that the normallyclosed switch 452a in the same circuit remains closed until the hoppercomes to weight. The above described manner of operating the switches418a and 452a assures that the relay S, associated with the switches,will be immediately energized as soon as the main switch 580 is closed.Therefore, the normally open contactors S1 and S2 in the branch lines573 and 574 will be closed as soon as the relay S is energized. Closingof the contactor S1 in the branch line 573 establishes a closed circuitand energizes the gate solenoid 564. Closing of the contactor S2establishes a holding circuit to keep the relay S energized.

When the gate 556 is opened by energization of the gate solenoid 564,articles carried along by the conveyor belt 502 are discharged therefromthrough the flaring entrance of the chute 533 and are conducted by thechute to the hopper Ea in a manner previously described. The obliquefront corners 553 of the chute channels 536 prevent injury to theproduce as the same enters the chute.

When a predetermined weight of articles has been delivered to the hopperso as to tilt the rear end of the balance beam 429a downwardly againstthe action of the counterbalance weights 4441a, the hopper Ea has beenlowered a predetermined distance. Such action is effective to open theswitch 452a in the circuit 572 and deenergize the relay S, even thoughthe hopper switch 418a is still held closed by the arm 424a. When therelay S is deenergized, the contactors S1 and S2 (FIG. 13) thereof arereturned to their normally open position and the gate solenoid 564 isdeenergized and the gate is closed by the previously described spring571 (FIG. 14). When the gate 556 is closed, further delivery of articlesto the hopper Ea is stopped.

The attendant, having put the open end of a bag about the mouth 366a ofthe hopper Ea, pivots the hopper to discharge the produce from thehopper as previously explained. Tilting of the hopper pivots the arm424a out of engagement with the switch actuator to thereby open theswitch 418a as the potatoes slide from the hopper Ea into the bag.

Before the hopper is pivoted counterclockwise about rods 381:: to returnthe same to article receiving condition FIG. 12), the attendant releaseshis grip on the hopper. Thereafter, the hopper is raised by thecounterweights 440a and the weight switch 452a of the circuit 572 ispermitted to close. When the hopper is pivoted counterclockwise, theswitch 418a is closed. Both the weight switch 452a and the hopper switch418a are now closed. Accordingly, the relay S is energized, and aspreviously explained, the gate 556 is raised so as to initiate anotherbag filling operation.

Because of the frequency with which both apples and oranges are baggedand the special problems relating to the bagging of each, two specialpurpose hoppers, for use with the bagger of the present invention, havebeen developed to fill this need.

A hopper 582 (FIGS. 15, 16, 17 and 18) is adapted to handle apples andcan be mounted in the U-shaped bracket 382 (FIG. 5) of bagger 30 and maybe successfully used with any form of the present bagger. In describingthe apple hopper 582, any necessary reference to hopper mountingstructure will be by use of the same reference

3. AN ARTICLE HANDLING APPARATUS COMPRISING A HOPPER, MEANS MOUNTINGSAID HOPPER FOR MOVEMENT INTO AND OUT OF ARTICLE RECEIVING POSITION, ACONVEYOR FOR SUPPLYING ARTICLES TO SAID HOPPER, POWER MEANS FOR DRIVINGSAID CONVEYOR, AN ELECTRICAL CONTROL CIRCUIT FOR SAID POWER MEANS, ASWITCH IN SAID ELECTRICAL CONTROL CIRCUIT MOUNTED ADJACENT SAID HOPPERAND ADAPTED WHEN ACTUATED TO MAINTAIN OPERATION OF SAID CONVEYOR, ASWITCH ACTUATING ARM CONNECTED WITH SAID HOPPER AND OPERABLE TO RETAINSAID SWITCH IN ACTUATED CONDITION THROUGHOUT THE TIME SAID HOPPER IS INARTICLE RECEIVING POSITION, AND MEANS CONNECTED TO SAID HOPPER ANDOPERABLE WHEN SAID HOPPER IS OUT OF ARTICLE RECEIVING POSITION TOPREVENT SAID SWITCH ACTUATING ARM FROM ACTUATING SAID SWITCH.